Latest news with #NSWDepartmentofEducation
Sky News AU
09-07-2025
- Sky News AU
Aussie parents stunned over 'ridiculous' rule allowing schools to deny leave for children to go on holidays
Australian parents have voiced their shock after learning schools and can mark a child's absence as unapproved if they go on holiday during the term. Popular influencer Sarah Stevenson, known as Sarah's Day on Instagram, told her 1.2 million followers the absence for her six-year-old kindergarten child's five-day absence for a holiday to Fiji was not "approved". She said in filling out the extended leave form for her child she had to show proof of flights. While at the airport and leaving to go on the trip, she learned the leave had not been approved by the principal. 'He's only missing five days of school. Anyway, day one of the trip I get an email back… it basically says Fox's leave hasn't been approved,' she says in a clip posted by Outspoken the Podcast. 'Yes, I want him to learn how to read and write and be in a classroom, but I haven't pulled him out of school for a month. Anyway, whatever. Love school.' Followers chimed in with their thoughts on the matter, with former Married At First Sight bride Alyssa Barmonde commenting that restricting when kids can and can't go on holiday is "ridiculous". "Travelling and being cultured is a way better life experience than missing a week of ABCs," she said. Other parents threw their support behind taking their kids out of school for holidays. 'I'm all for taking your kids out for holidays, real-life experiences AND family time," one said. "We have to apply for approval at our primary school, but I would still go even if it wasn't approved," another added. Schools in Australia will often approve absences when the reason for why children cannot attend school is accepted, such as sick leave, appointments or family emergencies like funerals. Principals can ask the parent or carer to provide a medical certificate if they are not satisifed with the explanation provided or if the child has a history of poor attendance or there are other child protection concerns. If leave is not approved by schools, it gets put through as unjustified absences. This is when the principal is not satisfied with the reason for the absence. Unjustified absences generally have no consequences, but if the number of them becomes frequent, the school may choose to intervene to address the issue. Compulsory school-aged children are required to attend school each day it is open in all states and territories in Australia. In Victoria, if a child frequently misses school, the school attendance officer will monitor and investigate the child's attendance, and an attendance notice, official warning or a fine could be issued to the parents. According to the NSW Department of Education, "it is essential the school has all relevant information to ensure the student's learning and health care needs are addressed through the individual health support planning process" to support the student's school attendance.
ABC News
07-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Demolition of Broken Hill's Willyama High School begins after mould outbreak
Eighteen months after a Broken Hill high school was forced to close indefinitely due to a major mould infestation, demolition work has begun. More than 600 Willyama High School students had to be relocated to alternate schools in January last year after the start of term one. The public high school in Far West New South Wales was earmarked for demolition last March after an independent hygienist report found the mould infestation was so extreme the building would have to be stripped down to its bricks to be safe again. The rebuild, which local MP Roy Butler believes will cost between $90–100 million, is expected to start early next year, with students returning from 2027. In the past, locals living near the site voiced concerns about potentially coming into contact with hazardous material, including mould or asbestos, during the demolition. In a statement, a NSW Department of Education spokesperson said surrounding residents should not worry. "Before heavy demolition began in the area, all associated hazardous materials were safely removed, and the area inspected to confirm remediation was safely completed," they said. "The safety and wellbeing of our students, workers and the community is our highest priority, and we will keep the community updated as work progresses." The spokesperson said the process had been carefully staged to "prioritise safety and minimise disruption to the local community". "All demolition activities are being undertaken in alignment with the Remediation Action Plan developed by an independent hygienist for the site," they said. The NSW government announced last month it had allocated more than $50 million in the state budget to start the Willyama High School rebuild.
The Guardian
13-02-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Sexual abuse ‘claim farming' arrests; Steggall's corridor ambush over electoral laws; and fashion's football shirts obsession
Seven people have been charged over an alleged fraudulent sexual abuse compensation claims scheme that allegedly netted more than $1bn. New South Wales police alleged that 'claim farmers' approached former young offenders, inmates and public school students, encouraging them to file fraudulent compensation claims for historic child sexual abuse while in care. The claims were brought against the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and the NSW Department of Education. Police said the charges were the 'tip of the iceberg' of a 'very, very large problem'. Zali Steggall grills Don Farrell over political donations reform in fiery corridor confrontation Influencer to provide unedited video of Bankstown hospital nurses' anti-Israeli threats, police say Trade minister denies Trump administration claims aluminium imports 'killing' US market Australia's investment in large-scale wind and solar hits six-year peak Schools closed as Tropical Cyclone Zelia expected to reach category five before hitting Western Australia Judge rules Trump can downsize federal government with worker buyouts A frosty flower and dead marshes were among the batch of reader-submitted photos selected for this month's gallery. Click here to submit a picture for publication. 'A bit of taxpayer-funded chicken, stuffed in a duck, stuffed in a turkey, which is a perfect analogy for this policy because I think most Australians will think it is stuffed.' The federal education minister, Jason Clare, looked more and more like Bill Shorten's heir apparent as Labor's zinger-in-chief with a question time hot take on the Coalition's small business tax breaks policy. The laws, which came into effect for most workers in August 2024, allow employees to reasonably refuse to respond during out of work hours. Sign up to Afternoon Update Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Influenced by 90s nostalgia and celebrity trends, vintage football shirts have hit the mainstream, and demand for rare kits has 'skyrocketed' in Australia. Today's starter word is: TAN. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply. Enjoying the Afternoon Update? Then you'll love our Morning Mail newsletter. Sign up here to start the day with a curated breakdown of the key stories you need to know, and complete your daily news roundup. And follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. If you have a story tip or technical issue viewing this newsletter, please reply to this email. If you are a Guardian supporter and need assistance with regards to contributions and/or digital subscriptions, please email
